General Liability Insurance for San Francisco, Bay Area Businesses

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What General Liability Covers

When a visitor is injured at your office near Santana Row or a client’s property is damaged by your team in Sunnyvale, general liability insurance steps in to cover bodily-injury claims, property‐damage liability, and even advertising-injury lawsuits. Shepherd & Associates helps San Francisco, Bay Area businesses choose appropriate limits and policy features that reflect Bay Area risk exposures.

Why It’s Essential

Nearly every lease or contract in Santa Clara County will ask for proof of GL coverage. Without it your business might not qualify for a space or bid on a project. Beyond that, a single slip-and-fall or a marketing ad gone wrong can lead to lawsuits that drain resources. A solid general liability policy allows you to focus on growth instead of litigation.

Our Approach

We walk you through policy features such as occurrence vs claims-made coverage, additional insured endorsements (often required by landlords or clients in the Peninsula), and certificate of insurance requirements. Our carrier relationships help secure competitive terms and our annual review process keeps your coverage aligned as you expand into Campbell, Los Gatos or beyond.

Workers’ Compensation FAQs

  • How much does general liability insurance cost in San Jose?

    Many small businesses begin with limits of $1 million/$2 million; average premiums for low-risk firms are approximately $40-50/month.

  • Does general liability cover my tools or vehicles?

    No—tools/equipment are covered under property or inland-marine policies, vehicles under commercial auto; we’ll help you assemble a full portfolio.

  • How is general liability different from professional liability?

    General liability handles third-party injury or property damage; professional liability (E&O) covers financial loss from errors in service—linking you to the right coverage.

  • When should I increase my liability limits?

    Growth into new markets, signing large customer contracts, leasing a bigger space or taking on new product lines all suggest a coverage review is timely.

Request a Review

If you’re based in San Francisco, Bay Area, Santa Clara County, or the South Bay and want to review your general liability coverage or certificate process, let our team guide you.

  • (408) 526-1112